A bug disrupted voice-activated alarm setting on Google Home devices, including Nest speakers, displays, and third-party hardware like Lenovo smart displays, for several days in August. Users found that commands like asking for an alarm at a specific time were ignored unless they used odd workarounds, such as saying an exact hour or prefacing the request with an unrelated phrase. Google has now confirmed the issue is resolved across both Google Assistant and Gemini for Home.
Reddit users and Android Authority's own lux measurements indicate the Pixel 11 Pro's camera flash and flashlight are noticeably dimmer than the Pixel 10 Pro's, with one test showing 89 lux versus 123 lux. The likely culprit is a physical diffuser added around the camera visor to accommodate Google's new HiLight ambient LED array, which appears to soften the main flash's beam.
A small batch of bespoke Swiss watches has been made for Sam Altman and six others connected to OpenAI, turning the timepieces into a rare status marker within tech circles. The watches join a growing trend of tech executives commissioning exclusive, custom horology as a personal signature.
Nvidia has increasingly used investments and financing arrangements with AI companies to help drive demand for its chips, effectively acting as a lender and investor to firms that buy its hardware. This financial engineering supports near-term revenue growth but ties Nvidia's fortunes more closely to the success of the AI startups it backs.
A hands-on review of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 finds that its new 4:3 aspect-ratio inner display finally reduces the black bars that plagued earlier foldables during widescreen video playback. However, the reviewer discovered they preferred using the device unfolded in portrait mode for reading and typing, only to find the inner selfie camera cutout repeatedly interferes with that experience.
Recruiters like Vendr's Andrew Stockwell say hiring has become overwhelmed as AI tools let job seekers mass-produce tailored résumés and auto-fill applications, turning what used to be dozens of candidates per posting into thousands, many fake or AI-generated. Greenhouse executive Ophir Samson notes that the industry's earlier push to make applying as frictionless as possible is now backfiring, forcing companies to spend heavily just to sort through the noise.
BlackBerry CEO John Giamatteo told CNBC that robotics has become one of the fastest-growing segments within its QNX software division, which is already embedded in 275 million vehicles for safety-critical automotive functions. He said QNX is increasingly powering industrial robots, warehouse forklifts and medical devices rather than humanoid robots, and that a portion of QNX's $950 million order backlog comes from robotics customers.
Sony has officially unveiled the Xperia 10 VIII, a phone that shares almost all its hardware with the Xperia 10 VII, including the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and the same dual-camera setup. The main changes are a 50% brighter OLED display, 30% louder speakers, and new color options, while microSD expansion up to 2TB remains a standout feature. The device is priced at €599 (about $698) and is set to launch in mid-to-late this year.
A birth-cohort study tracking 502 Singaporean children from age 1 to 8 found that higher screen viewing time, especially at age 1, 1.5 and 6 years, was linked to weaker academic performance at age 9 and poorer working memory at 10.5, even after adjusting for other factors. Cumulative screen exposure across childhood also predicted lower academic performance, though not working memory.
Bankrupt Spirit Airlines accepted a $10 million bid from Google to acquire 34 years of company records, including invoices, flight operations details, Wi-Fi sales, and employee files, beating a $7.5 million offer from AI firm Mercor. The Association of Flight Attendants, representing 5,500 former Spirit crew members, has filed a court objection arguing the sale exposes sensitive worker data that employees never consented to having used for AI training, even though Google says customer information is excluded.
Apple introduced two new chips, the M6 and M5 Ultra, alongside refreshed Mac Mini and Mac Studio desktops built around them. Preorders are open now through Apple, with most configurations shipping September 22, 2026. The Mac Mini starts at $899 and the Mac Studio starts at $2,499, matching pricing tiers from prior generations while adding faster processors and better connectivity.
Google is rolling out an experimental Gemini feature called Device Help on Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro phones, letting users troubleshoot issues like battery drain or Wi-Fi problems, adjust settings such as brightness or dark mode, and get explanations of Pixel features using plain language instead of navigating menus. The feature carries a 'Labs' tag, signaling it's still experimental, and Android Authority's hands-on testing found it worked well for some tasks but gave inconsistent guidance for others, such as Magic Capture instructions.
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